Improvement in fire safety-lines



B. A. GREGORY.

Fire Safety-Lines.

No, 141,269 Patentedluly29,1873.

AM, PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHIL 00. MY. (osaomvE's PRocsss) UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES A. GREGORY, OF MONTREAL, CANADA, ASSIGNOR ONE-HALF HIS RIGHT TO WALTER MUNSON RICE, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN FIRE SAFETY-LINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 141,269, dated July 29, 1873 application filed May 17, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CEARLEs ALEXANDER GREGORY, of the city of Montreal, in the district of Montreal, in the Province of Quebec, Canada, have invented new Improvements on Fire Life-Preservers; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

This invention has reference to providing a simple and ready means by which assistance can be rendered to persons who are situated in the upper stories of a building when the lower portion is on fire, and egress by the passages and stairs is out off by smoke and heat. In such cases it often occurs that ladders of sufficient length are not at hand in the necessary short space of time required, and other means, such as ropes, rope-ladders, and fireescapes, cannot be reached up to the firebound people above, neither can they, in the excitement of the emergency, find any means to connect with the assistance that could otherwise be rendered from below.

- My invention consists, mainly, in providing a means by which the sufi'erers above can in g my invention. Fig. 2 represents a sectional elevation embodying my invention. Fig. 3 represents a view of belaying-pin.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, letter A is a box, made preferably in three compartments, B, C, and D. In B is situated a Windlass or roller, E; this is for winding up the cord F, (of any required length and strength,)' for the purpose of preventing it from becoming entangled or raveled, and thus rendered useless when required. G is the cover of the two compartments B and C, hinged at H, made with an opening in it, connecting with chamber I, for the reception of a ball, K, or hook, as shown in Fig. 3. The compartment C is for the purpose of holding the belaying-pin or ring-bolt L, of any of the ordinary forms, although I prefer the one shown, as it is a combined belaying-pin and ring-bolt. Its screw must be provided with a gimlet-point, so that it may be firmly screwed into the floor or wood-work of the room without the assistance of other tools, and the strength of the screw should be such that it will safely bear any probable strain to which it may be exposed. D is the compartment in which the matches are placed for general use.

The operation is as follows: The box A, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is attached in any convenient part of the room in which it is placed. Strangers on entering the room and looking for matches will at once become acquainted with its existence and situation. Should a fire occur it is only necessary to take hold of the ball or hook K and throw it out of the window, and draw out the line till the hook reaches the ground, when any means that are at hand may be attached to it and drawn up by the person in danger. The line F may, if desired, be of such-strength that it will bear the weight of the person escaping. The belaying-pin L affords a ready means of making fast upon.

I do not claim any invention in the separate parts themselves.

What I claim is as follows:

The described device, consisting of the box A, having chamber I, Windlass E, cord F, and ball K, combined and arranged as described.

Montreal, 8th day of May, A. D. 1873.

C. A. GREGORY.

Witnesses:

CHARLES G. O. SIMPsoN, FRAs. HY. REYNOLDS. 

